Memorials

It is with our deep sadness that we would like to let you know that Lucy Caffrey has pasted over the Rainbow Bridge. Our heats go out to Bill, Ann and Jazz Caffrey.

Lucy was a happy dog to the end. We had a fantastic walk on the Highline Canal Saturday. She happily sniffed at every blade of grass her tail wagging the whole time. She completely enjoyed both her breakfast and dinner. Late Saturday night we put her outside for her usual potty trip. She fell by the back door and was unconscious. Roused her and took her to VRCC. She was bleeding internally, very low blood pressure and vitals. She was awake and aware and was asking us to let her go. She was put down around 1AM. What a great dog!

It is with deep sadness that we are posting that our friend and supporter Dick Phares lost his long battle with cancer on Friday April 28th, 2017. Dick was born December 14th in 1933. Dick was a kind, gentle soul. Dick and his wife Nancy have been battling his cancer for over 5 years.

Dick did not wish to have a service of any kind. The family has requested that any donations be made to Nikenos Second Chances. Dick loved his dogs and always was a great contributor to Nikenos.

Dick was always available to help with anything we needed at Nikenos Second Chances.

All of us at Nikenos will miss Dick, but we have all become better people because he was in our lives.

Donation can be made by calling Gina 720-514-2543 or by mailing P.O. Box 1505 Wheat Ridge, CO. 80034

This page is to memorialize Bryan Johnson and his beloved German shepherd Jelli.

Dear Gina,

I wanted you to know that my son and Jelli’s previous owner Bryan Johnson passed away Friday morning. He had her photo next to the bed all week and was at peace with losing her and knowing she would have a good life. I hope all is well with her. Thank you again for taking her when no one else would. We will be eternally grateful to you. We have asked that all donations in remembrance of Bryan be placed with Nikenos Second Chance. I hope there will be something good that can come out of all of this.

With gratitude and admiration for all you do,
Karen Johnson
Bryan and Jelli’s Story

Bryan was getting weaker due to his terminal cancer. He was no longer able to care for his beloved German shepherd Jelli. So Jelli was placed in temporary housing with the Rolling Hills Veterinary Hospital in Columbia until something could be arranged for her care.

Jelli is a high energy German shepherd with some social issues, she is great with people but not so good with other dogs. Karen, Bryan’s mother, was not having much luck finding her proper placement in a new home or an animal rescue. Karen, seeking for help to find a new home for Jelli was referred to Nikenos Second Chances in Denver Colorado. Nikenos Second Chances attaches a training program to all the dog that are adopted to assist the adoption process, which enormously increases the success of each adoption.

Karen sent an email to Nikenos Second Chances that read. “The reason I am writing is to ask for your assistance. Jenny Romesburg from the Central Humane Society in Columbia, MO gave me your email and information and it is my hope that you can help us. My 44 year old son Bryan has terminal cancer and is in the last phase of his disease. His six year old female German shepherd “Jelli” has been his companion ever since he rescued her from a Craigslist ad four years ago. “

It became very clear how much Jelli meant to Bryan and he was very concerned if she ended up in a shelter she would never make it out of the shelter alive mostly due to overcrowding. This weighed heavy on Bryan and Karen’s heart. With the devastating fate that Bryan would soon be passing and to know Jelli maybe facing the same fate due to lack of resources was more than anyone should have to experience at all, much less at the same time.
Fortunately, I had a single man that was looking for a new dog and is an experienced dog handler. So we agreed to have Jelli join the Nikenos Second Chances family of dogs. Transportation was arranged by C.A.R.E. transport, who helps homeless dogs get the transportation they need for safe harbor. Linda created this nonprofit transportation caravan for this very reason, to help these dogs get to a safe place.

Jelli arrived in Denver on February 18th ,2015 safe and sound. She was taken to Clearwater Dog Training which is the training center for Nikenos Second Chances. Now it would be the time to meet her new dad. From the start, Jelli seemed to know the man in the room was there for her. She took to Carl from the first glance and there was no hesitation from Carl either. The deal was sealed and Carl would become her new dad in moments.
Not knowing how she would take to Carl’s dogs, Carl and Gina from Clearwater Dog Training arrange a plan for Jelli to join Carl’s pack of two other dogs.

Shortly after the time Jelli arrived, Carl’s female dog Kayla needed to be put down due to her current health issues that turned a fast turn to the worst. With Jelli’s arrival, it’s almost like Kayla knew her dad was in good paws with Jelli, this allowed Kayla to know she could now cross the rainbow bridge knowing her dad now has Jelli to watch over him.
Jelli and Carl have been attending training classes at Clearwater Dog Training to help her integrate into his pack. She brings joy to Carl’s life and has helped ease the pain of the loss of Kayla.

Kayla at Carl’s

Intriguing,,, how fate works! Two men states away facing death in their own way and being joined by a dog rescue to experience death in the same way, it’s almost Hallmark.!

I can in vision Kayla waiting on the bridge with her kind eyes and open heart helping Bryan find his way home. Assuring him she would now be the one to comfort him as Jelli once did. In turn Jelli comforting Carl like Kayla once did.

Today, I hope Kayla and Bryan are running in the grassy meadows of heaven and resting under the big Oak tree with her head lying across Bryan’s chest

Karen Jonson has ask for any donations to be made in honor of her son Bryan, you can go to our web page at www.nscrescue.org and use the PayPal button or you can send a donations to Nikenos Second Chances @ P.O. Box 1505, Wheat Ridge, CO 80034, or call Gina @ 720-514-2543 to do a credit card over the phone.

Thank you for your support!!!!
In honor of Bryan , Nikenos Second Chances is now offering estate planning and Wills that will include the after care of your animals, please email gina@nscrescue.org if you would like more information.

We will be looking to update our memorials page in the next few months. We know a lot of you have sent in honor/memory of someone and we are trying to change the look. If you have a picture of someone you wanted to honor here, and or a story about them we want to make that to be a part here. Please send them to gina@nscrescue.org

Is is with sadness we learned the animal world lost a great champion. Ed DeWitt lost his battle with Diabetes 8/6/2013, his family has asked in lieu of flowers, they want donations to go to Nikeno’s to continue their work helping animals in Ed’s Name.